10 reasons to go up the Tumble, apart from watching the Tour of Britain cycle race

Keeper's Pond near the top of the Blorenge, Crown copyright 2014 Visit Wales

Cycling seems to be more popular than ever around here. It would appear that one legacy of watching world-class cyclists racing on our roads
during the 2014 British
Cycling National Road
Championships back in June is an increase in local people getting on
their bikes. We’ve certainly spent more time in the saddle recently... but then
we are competing in the 33-mile Monmouthshire
& Brecon Canalathon in just over a week! Before that we’re
very much looking forward to seeing how the pros tackle our local hill climb, The
Tumble, when they arrive here at the end of the third stage of The Tour of Britain on 9th
September.

And what a hill it is! Classed as a category one climb to reflect its difficulty, it’s a 6 km climb over a steady gradient of 10%. It's expected to be one of the major highlights of The Tour and it’s right on our doorstep. Referred to by cyclists as The Tumble, we know it as the twisting road that climbs up the Blorenge mountain, crossing over the Monmouthshire & Brecon Canal in Govilon.

Pen y Fan and Cribyn in the central Brecon Beacons

On a clear day views from the top are amazing, with South
Wales’ highest peak Pen y Fan to the west, the Black Mountains to the north and
the Bristol Channel to the south, with glimpses of Somerset.

But the Blorenge mountain is known for much more than just
cycling. Here are ten reasons visitors flock here:

View of the Sugarloaf from the top of the Blorenge, two of the mountains surrounding Abergavenny

Keen on photography? You’ll capture some spectacular views
from the Blorenge in all seasons. if you'd like some guidance, local business Black Mountains Photography offers landscape photography workshops out on the mountains.

This prolific author lived for a time in Abergavenny. His
novels, including the most famous ‘Rape of the Fair Country’, tell the tales of
working class struggles in 19th century industrial South Wales. Many local landmarks are mentioned in his books
including our very own Llanfoist Wharf.

Of course, there is so much more to do around the stunning Mon & Brec canal than we could fit in one blog post! So check out our 'Things To Do' page for events guaranteed to suit a variety of different interests.